Since 2013, the Adult Swim animated sitcom “Rick and Morty” has been garnering obsessive fans and critical acclaim. But what exactly makes the show so great? And what makes this dark show so funny? Today, we’ll seek to answer those questions, and many more.

More importantly, we’ll be delving into what makes the show both an effective satire of where science fiction has been, and a bellwether of where good science fiction may be heading.

Got thoughts on today’s episode or suggestions for new ones? You can get in touch via our Facebook page or novumpodcast@gmail.com.

If you’ve ever questioned the very nature of reality, you’re not alone. As it turns out, humans have been trying to disprove or escape reality for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. But if this world isn’t real, would we even recognize what is?

Many novels, films, and TV shows have wrangled with the question of what is real: The Matrix, The Truman Show, and The OA, to name just a few. To explore these examples and many more from throughout history, Novum welcomes Yogesh Raut to the program.

Yogesh Raut is a PhD candidate in social psychology at New Mexico State University, with degrees in psychology and Cinematic Arts from USC, NYU, and Stanford University. He is also a renowned quizbowl champion. You can find out more about Yogesh at http://harpo84.blogspot.com